Can you believe it? The holidays are nearly upon us! Hanukkah starts this Wednesday, Dec. 21st and Christmas is right behind it on the 25th. Are you still looking for that perfect gift? Get crafty this holiday season with our selection of holiday craft books.

Frosty the Snowman is a classic winter song. But did you know there were so many different versions? Check out some of these great songs, and learn a new snowman song too!

Sing along! [sound recording] by Caspar Babypants

Kidz Bop Christmas [sound recording]

Christmas with the Chipmunks [sound recording] by Alvin, Simon & Theodore with David Seville

Phineas & Ferb holiday favorites [sound recording]

No two alike by Keith Baker — Snowflakes come in all shapes and sizes, with no two alike. This beautiful and simple picture book follows a pair of birds on a snowflake-filled journey through a winter landscape, where everything everywhere, from branches and leaves to forests full of trees, is unique, just like you and me!

Enjoy the snow and more winter tales!

In this online storytime, Miss Sandra and Miss Katie tell stories and sing songs all about monkeys.

Check out some easy Christmas reads during the month of December to get in the holiday spirit. Below are some suggested titles from the Readers section in the Children's Department. Happy reading!

Alvin and the Chipmunks: a Chipmunk family Christmas by based upon the characters Alvin and the Chipmunks created by Ross Bagdasarian ; story by Jon Vitti ; screenplay by Jon Vitti and Will McRobb & Chris Viscardi ; adapted by Susan Hill

Minnie and Moo: the night before Christmas by Denys Cazet

Do you love to draw? Are you learning how to play an instrument? Looking for your favorite sports team or sporting activity? How about that special craft for that special someone? Well, look no further, this is all in the J700 to 799 collection! We have a wonderful selection of art, music, sports, crafts, games, and so much more. Be sure to check out our books and DVDs. Have fun!

Marcel the shell with shoes on : things about me by Jenny Slate & Dean Fleischer-Camp ; paintings by Amy Lind — Marcel is a shell. He also has shoes. And just how does that work? Check out this fun, new picture book created by writer, actress and SNL alum Jenny Slate and her partner Dean Fleischer-Camp. The book is based on a short film made by the duo in 2010 that went on to win the grand jury prize at the 2011 New York Int'l Children's Film Festival. Big accomplishments for such a little creature!

See the photos on Flickr.

Snail Mail for Seniors is a non-profit group set up to send greeting cards and children's drawings to senior citizens free of charge. They particularly aim for the senior that does not usually receive many visitors or mail. Come to the Purple Room on December 10 at any time between 1:00-4:00 PM and create a Holiday/Winter card to send to these oft-overlooked members of our community. All ages are welcome to participate. Supplies will be provided.

Enjoy some of these fun and festive Thanksgiving songs for kids:

Thanksgiving songs that tickle your funny bone [sound recording] by Roberts, Piller & Katz

At home and abroad [sound recording] by Focus on the Family

Bear's holiday celebration from Jim Henson's bear in the big blue house [sound recording]

Whaddaya think of that? [sound recording] by Laurie Berkner

Monkey with a tool belt and the seaside shenanigans by Chris Monroe — Have you met Chico the monkey, and his tool belt? If not, you are missing one handy monkey. In this new adventure, Chico helps his friend Clark the elephant fix many problems at a seaside resort. Chico has to fix the leaky boat, the broken sprinkler, and a hole in the roof. But his biggest challenge in the water slide. Can he fix it? Check out the book to find out! There are more Monkey with a Tool Belt adventures available at the library. Maybe Chico can show you how to fix something at your house?

In this online storytime, Miss Michelle tells us the story of the three billy goats gruff and reads a poem about five penguins.

Thanksgiving is on November 24th this year. Have you made your crafts yet? If not, there is still plenty of time. Check out the Thanksgiving craft books we have here at the library for inspiration and direction. Have fun! Gobble, gobble!

Pick up some easy-to-read books to get in the spirit of giving thanks. Below are some suggested titles that can be found in the Readers section in our Children's Department. Happy Thanksgiving!

The first Thanksgiving by Linda Hayward ; illustrated by James Watling

Pardon that turkey : how thanksgiving became a holiday by Susan Sloate ; illustrated by Christian Slade

Ten little caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr. ; illustrated by Lois Ehlert — Bill Martin, Jr's posthumous work, originally published in 1967, brings to life the adventures of 10 caterpillars as they visit flower gardens, vegetable patches, and apple orchards, all before transforming into beautiful butterflies. This rhyming text is fun for all ages, and the beautiful artwork of Lois Ehlert is spectacular.

Looking for some tunes you may have heard at storytime? Here's some of our favorites:

Storytime classics [sound recording] by Peter Pan Kids

Storytime favorites [sound recording]

Dragon tunes [sound recording] : [from Dragon Tales] by Sesame Workshop/Columbia TriStar Television

Creative movement and rhythmic expression [sound recording] by Hap Palmer

On November 28, the regularly scheduled Family Storytimes and ABC Activity Times begining at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM will be held at Barnes & Noble in Northville. This change is in support of the Canton Public Library Book Fair held in partnership with Barnes & Noble. While you are there use the coupon found in the November/December 2011 Connections newsletter and start your holiday shopping.

What kind of dog do you wish you had? How fast does a Corvette really go? What does the inside of the human body look like? If you have ever asked yourselves these questions and more, then you should definitely visit the J600-699 collection in the Children's Section. This is the nonfiction collection that is chock full of cats, cars, pets, cooking, gardening, health, body parts, and so much more. See you in the stacks!

Have you always wondered what it would be like to live in a rainforest? Here's your chance. Children ages 4-9 with their caregivers can enjoy an enchanting rainforest tale, learn about the rainforest and who lives there, enjoy a snack and make a craft. Registration begins October 31, 2011.

Funded by the Target Store Early Childhood Reading Grant and the Friends of the Canton Public Library.

Stop by the Community Room on December 1st from 5:30 to 8:30 PM for a special identification event sponsored by New York Life. The free ID cards for kids will include a photo, digital fingerprints and other vital information. Should there ever be an Amber Alert, this card is a first step in finding missing children.